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Sickness and health in the village. An assessment of health conditions in South India (Coimbatore District).

Author:

Frédéric Bourdier

Publisher:

Institut Français de Pondichéry

Year:1995

Pages:

70 p.

Series:

Pondy Papers in Social Sciences n°17

Language:

English

ISBN:

978-81-8470-071-8

Price:

200 Rs (9 €)

Remarks:---

About the book

Classic data about health takes almost no account of varying geo-ecological, socio-cultural and politico-economic contexts. A small-scale local study based on previous knowledge of the society concerned is on the other hand able to relate the multiple components involved which affect and to a large extent determine the state of health of a particular population. First the traditional indicators are reviewed, with an analysis of the rationales of those who compile them, from health staff to Government officials. A critical analysis shows both the limitations of the official data and its inadequacy in reflecting the way in which individuals "manage" their health problems within their daily survival strategies. Then a positive (or global) health index is sought for.